October 6, 2023 Newsletter

HISTORY OF THE PRAYER CHAIN

The Ministry of the prayer chain was started around the middle of the eighties. Under the leadership of Jean Allen, a group of dedicated individuals chose to use the power of prayer to pray for people in need. A prayer request would be given to Jean and she would phone the information to the next person on the list, that person phoning the next until soon all of the prayer chain were united in prayer. When I joined the prayer chain in 1990, I received a welcome phone call from Jean and an explanation of the importance of prayer. Jean also discussed how people were vulnerable, worried, or afraid, and how we must pray faithfully and always respect their privacy by never discussing their concerns with anyone else. They were putting their trust in us, and in prayer.

Over the years we have received many requests for prayer. Surgery, illness, depression, job losses, marital or family problems were lifted in prayer. I remember the calls from Jean Bakogeorge, and they usually started the same way: “Evelyn, get your book and your pen. We have prayers to say.”

When Jean Allen could no longer lead the prayer chain, the leadership role went to Gloria Graham. The difficult task of reaching people by phone was conquered when Gloria purchased a computer, and with the help of a dear friend, taught herself how to use the computer and link the prayer chain by email. Gloria also took the ministry one step further by reaching out to the people requesting prayer to see if their needs had changed, or if they no longer needed our prayers. She then forwarded that information to the rest of us.

Maureen Smith was our leader when we lost Gloria in 2019. Then Margo Collins took an active role as our leader in 2021, and now there is me.

Trying to fill the very “big shoes” of the two wonderful ladies that led this ministry for over two decades is challenging. Jean and Gloria, and the dedicated people that worked with them, know that Prayer is Powerful. Although the prayer chain team has changed many times over the years, we still have a loving group of ten people to pray. Trusting and praying that this wonderful Ministry can continue for decades to come.

Yours in Christ, Evelyn (evelynm.sta@gmail.com)

HOSPITAL VISITS

It has come to our attention that St. Andrew’s is no longer notified when congregants are admitted to the hospital. Should you wish a visit from the minister or a member of the pastoral care team, or to be put on the prayer chain, please ensure that you, a family member, or a friend contact either the office or a member of the appropriate team. For the prayer chain, your primary contact is Evelyn (evelynm.sta@gmail.com). For the Pastoral Care Team, the primary contact person is June (widdisje@gmail.com).

The summer was a very busy one for our community outreach program. As the cost of living continues to rise and most specifically for food and accommodation, the need in our community continues to grow. Thanks to the financial support from our congregation and from our community partners we were able to once again offer bag lunches three times weekly in both July and August. Two Sunday suppers were also offered. This work cannot be done without a crew of wonderful volunteers from our church family who prepared and handed out the lunches. How blessed we are to have such support.

As of the first week of September, Soup Kitchen and regular twice monthly Sunday Suppers have returned indoors and the numbers remain substantial. If anyone in the congregation is interested in participating in these outreach programs please contact Donna Chatland, the program coordinator .

In partnership with Fairview Baptist church we continue to financially support the young Ukrainian mother and her young daughter. We will be meeting with Fairview to determine her needs moving forward, as the lease for her apartment ends in January. Although she is working, we believe she will continue to require our support. More information will be available once we conclude our talks with Fairview.

Watch for further information coming soon about our Christmas Hamper program.

Dianne Dalton, Outreach & Missions

DEDICATED PRAYER CHAIN MEMBERS

Jean Allen

Back: Jean Bakogeorge, Barb Warden, Marie Warren, Vinnie Martin. Front: Kathy Lepp, Maureen Smith, Joyce Goss, Gloria Graham. Absent: Evelyn MacKinnon.

from the 2010 Church Directory.

GETTING TO KNOW REV. DR. RICK HORST

Rick Horst (B.A., M.Div., D.Min.) was ordained to the ministry in May of 1984 (having passed his Greek course!). He was appointed to a three-point innercity charge in east Toronto where he also served the Regimental Padre of the 48th Highlanders of Canada. Called in 1987 to the Presbyterian church in St. Marys, Ontario, he served there for seventeen years, also becoming actively involved in hospital governance advocacy as a result of threatened small-hospital closures under the Health Services Restructuring Commission. An avid sportsman, he was elected a Governor of the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum which is located in St. Marys.

After years of vital congregational growth, Rick answered the call from St. Andrew’s in Barrie, where he served his final fourteen years of full-time ministry before retirement in 2019. While there, he also served an eight-year volunteer term in hospital board governance, culminating as the Chairman of the Board of the Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre.

In 2011, Rick was elected as the Moderator of the PCC. He is an avid golfer and lover of football, most notably known as a long-suffering fan of his hometown Hamilton Tiger-Cats. With Karen, he shares three kids and seven grandkids.

WHAT IS SESSION?

In the Presbyterian church, each church is governed by Session - a group of Elders elected by the congregation who serve as leaders and make decisions for the way we run the church. St. Andrew’s Lindsay currently has a Session made up of ten elders: Margo Collins, Dianne Dalton, Graham Ham, Janice Loeb, Bob Puffer, Linda Rutherford, Deb Smith, Susan Wallace, June Widdis and Jim Wray. We thank Session for their service and pray that God grant them wisdom and discernment as they serve the congregation.

Prayer Chain: For prayer requests, contact Evelyn at 705.879.7260 or evelynm.sta@gmail.com.

FINANCIAL UPDATE

To the end of August we have an operating profit of about $6,000.00 on the year. Although our top line revenue is down from last year, our expenses are down considerably as well (last year we were paying two ministers until December).

To the end of August, Presbyterians’ Sharing has received $14,610.00 and PWS&D has received $1,093.50.

After one week of our Stewardship campaign we have received $1,975.00 of our goal of $12,000.00. The money raised will be used to repair the damage that occurred to the church after the hailstorm in August.

To the end of September our mortgage stands at $333,100.55.

We thank you for your continued financial support which helps make St Andrew’s the special place that it is.

In memory of Margaret Jean Watson: September 17, 2023.